Fashion Rollcall selected three looks sported by Michelle Obama during the G20 visit in Europe for its Rollcall list.  Her fashion choices generated much conversation in the media, and on many fashion blogs.  Each look had its admirers and detractors.  Two will move on to the Showdown on Friday.  You can view the photos by clicking the link of each designer’s name.  The selected looks and designers are:

• A. Azzedine Alaia- Black dress at NATO Dinner;
• B. Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu- Teal sweater and dress at school in London; and
• C. Thakoon- Fuchsia dress in Germany.

Related Post: Her Style Showdown

“American fashion right now is struggling,” says Oscar de la Renta. “I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don’t think that is the right message at this particular point….I don’t object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J. Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great. But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it’s wrong to go in one direction only.”

The reverberations of this quote have been felt throughout the fashion world.  Fashion blogs are abuzz with comments.  Some are in agreement with Mr. de la Renta, others voice strong dissent.  The dissenters argue that Mr. de la Renta had the privilege of dressing First Ladies from Nancy Reagan to Laura Bush, and should allow the newer designers to have their day. 

The First Lady has become a fashion icon, and many designers are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to dress her.  Whether it’s a wise strategy to publicly scold Michelle Obama about her fashion choices remains to be seen.  A better approach may be to graciously await the call.  She has been the First Lady for less than three months; she will wear designs by many American designers throughout the four years, including Mr. de la Renta.  The best course of action in this instance is for the designers to acknowledge the age old adage that ’patience is a virtue’. 

Dressing Michelle: Major Designers Wait for First Lady’s Call [WWD]

Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama’s Fashion Choices [The Cut]

Yesterday’s post Luxury For Less caused me to think about the fashion industry and its outlook for the near future.  There will be many changes, but will they be permanent?  Can they last beyond the economic recovery?

A drop in prices will be the biggest change of all.  Lower prices will be favorable to the consumer, but it will chisel away at the bottom-line of many fashion designers.  It should come as no surprise that some designers are reluctant to lower prices, and understandably so.  We as a global community have enjoyed much luxury and excess for over a decade, and it was expected to stay that way forever.  Who knew?

The industry as a whole is in need of assistance, and our First Lady, Michelle Obama is doing her part.  Her fashion choices have been the subject of much discussion.  She wields an influence on fashion that is seldom matched.  Can her influence translate into an increase in sales?  That is the likely goal of both the First Lady and the designers who dress her.  Michelle Obama has made a concerted effort to wear clothing by American designers; this is her contribution to an industry that has seen better days.   

Lower prices were almost unheard of a decade ago.  Yet today it is an economic reality for some designers.  Others have decided to maintain their price points, a likely attempt to preserve their luster.  They are each taking calculated risks.  In time we will learn which of these strategies emerge victorious.   

Photos of Michelle Obama and her fashion choices abroad can be viewed at On the Runway.  On the Runway, by Cathy Horyn also has a related story on retail fashion and their current price points.